How Humidity Affects Your Home and HVAC System

For residents living on the Alabama-Georgia border, humidity can be a year-round challenge. The Southeastern climate brings hot, muggy summers and damp, chilly winters, both of which can impact your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Many homeowners focus on heating and cooling, but humidity control is just as important for maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.

Why Humidity Matters in Your Home

Humidity is the measure of the amount of moisture in the air. While some moisture is necessary for comfort and health, too much or too little can cause problems.

High humidity (above 60%) can make your home feel sticky, encourage mold growth, and strain your HVAC system.
Low humidity (below 30%) can dry out your skin, cause static electricity, and even damage wood furniture and floors.

To maintain a comfortable and healthy home, you should aim for an indoor humidity level between 30% and 50% year-round.

The Effects of High Humidity on Your Home and HVAC System

1. Increased HVAC System Strain

When humidity levels rise, your air conditioner has to work harder to remove excess moisture from the air while also cooling your home. This can lead to:

• Higher energy bills due to increased AC usage.
• Short cycling, where your system turns on and off frequently, leading to excess wear and tear.
• Reduced cooling efficiency, as humid air holds heat longer than dry air.

2. Mold, Mildew and Dust Mites

Excess moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and dust mites -- all of which can impact your indoor air quality and health. If allowed to spread, mold can infiltrate your walls, ceilings, carpets and even your home's HVAC ducts. Mildew can also spread within the home, leaving a musty odor while dust mites trigger allergies and respiratory issues.

3. Damage to Your Home’s Structure and Furniture

High humidity doesn’t just affect your comfort -- it can also cause damage to thew following structures:

• Wood flooring and furniture can absorb moisture, causing warping and swelling.
• Paint and wallpaper may peel or bubble due to excess moisture in the air.
• Doors and windows can swell, making them difficult to open or close.

The Effects of Low Humidity on Your Home and HVAC System

While excessive moisture can be problematic, air that is too dry can also cause issues—especially in the winter when heating systems remove moisture from the air.

1. Dry Skin, Allergies, and Respiratory Issues

Low humidity can lead to:

• Dry, itchy skin and chapped lips.
• Sinus irritation and nosebleeds due to dry nasal passages.
• Increased allergy and asthma symptoms because dry air makes it easier for dust and allergens to circulate.

2. Increased Static Electricity

Have you ever noticed that in the winter, you get shocked every time you touch a doorknob or pet your cat? That’s because low humidity increases static electricity in your home, which can damage electronics and cause minor discomfort. Additionally, it's a warning sign that your indoor air is too dry and needs more moisture.

3. Damage to Wood Furniture and Floors

Just like too much humidity can warp wood, too little humidity can dry it out, leading to:

• Cracking and splitting in hardwood floors and furniture.
• Shrinking gaps between wood planks.
• Brittle wooden furniture that becomes more susceptible to damage.

How to Control Humidity Levels in Your Home

1. Use a Whole-Home Dehumidifier or Humidifier

A whole-home dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from your air, making your home more comfortable and reducing strain on your AC. Similarly, a humidifier can add moisture during the winter to prevent dryness. C&G offers professional installation of whole-home dehumidifiers and humidifiers to help regulate indoor moisture levels year-round.

2. Check and Maintain Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in humidity control. Here are some ways you can maintain it:

• Make sure your air filters are clean to allow for proper airflow.
• Schedule regular maintenance to ensure your system is functioning efficiently.
• Consider upgrading to an HVAC system with humidity control features if your current unit is outdated.

C&G provides HVAC inspections, tune-ups and system upgrades to help you maintain a comfortable home.

3. Improve Home Ventilation

Proper airflow is key to maintaining balanced humidity levels. You can do this by:

• Using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove moisture.
• Ensuring your home’s attic and crawl spaces are properly ventilated.
• Opening windows when possible to promote natural air circulation.

If your home has poor ventilation, C&G can recommend ventilation improvements to prevent humidity-related problems.

Let C&G Improve your Indoor Humidity in GA and AL

At C&G, we help Auburn and Columbus homeowners keep indoor humidity levels under control. If you're interested in our services, feel free to give us a call at 334-489-3329. Our Georgia team can be reached at 706-538-4951. For more information about our other services, click the link here.